One tons in all the things. This is the way.
CK5
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DANA 60
- Thread starter SSS
- Start date
I want to jump in with something different.
Keep the 33s but find new 8 lug rims. You can find 8 lug parts for a rear 12b easier than it would be to find 1/2 ton parts for a 60F. Or find a 3/4 ton rear axle. It might be better geared already.
This is the easiest and cheapest route because nothing is custom and everything is "store bought replaceable".
However, the rabbit hole has just begun and this is what everyone is warning you about.
Steering will need work. Front driveshaft will need to be shortened because the D60 has a longer snout. Brake lines may or may not need to be adapted, depending on banjo size. Your 1/2 ton MC wont keep up with the larger brakes.
To make it work quickly, wheel lug adapters will enable you to keep the wheels if they are large enough but be prepared for the rest. I don't think my truck steers different than when I had the D44, but it went through a BIG transition going to a D60. You will feel the weight driving though.
Keep the 33s but find new 8 lug rims. You can find 8 lug parts for a rear 12b easier than it would be to find 1/2 ton parts for a 60F. Or find a 3/4 ton rear axle. It might be better geared already.
This is the easiest and cheapest route because nothing is custom and everything is "store bought replaceable".
However, the rabbit hole has just begun and this is what everyone is warning you about.
Steering will need work. Front driveshaft will need to be shortened because the D60 has a longer snout. Brake lines may or may not need to be adapted, depending on banjo size. Your 1/2 ton MC wont keep up with the larger brakes.
To make it work quickly, wheel lug adapters will enable you to keep the wheels if they are large enough but be prepared for the rest. I don't think my truck steers different than when I had the D44, but it went through a BIG transition going to a D60. You will feel the weight driving though.
Also...
IF you find a 5 or 6 lug conversion for the D60F, please make sure to update this. Everyone loves knowledge and growing with new options.
If you are considering rear disc brakes, you are considering a new MC set up anyway. Sounds like you are on the way to spending a bunch of cash anyway
IF you find a 5 or 6 lug conversion for the D60F, please make sure to update this. Everyone loves knowledge and growing with new options.
If you are considering rear disc brakes, you are considering a new MC set up anyway. Sounds like you are on the way to spending a bunch of cash anyway
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE ......
i am almost there . my 2wd short bed got a 12 bolt . if i blow it up it will get a 60 rear .
60 rear can work . but better options already 6 lug and full disc brake with parking brake .
So it’s a 78 Blazer with 6.0 ls -4l60e-241c and 33-12.50-15 and it has 12 Bolt rear and 10 Blot front with 3.08 I have a Dana 44 for the front if I decide to switch it out and I have a Dana 60 for the rear no matter what I do on the rear I have to change the gearing and I am changing to disc brakes. I know this brakes is not going to change my life, but I like it for the maintenance only. I know there’s about four companies that offer the six bolt hubs for that Dana 60. I know most of you would just say change the front to eight bolt. My intention of the question was just asking what people are doing most of you guys. I guess our rock crawlers where the eight Bolt big axles are used as in my post before you know this is just going to be a highway queen but I have no problem making it heavy duty
The old truck 12-bolt axle isn't really any stronger than the 10-bolts. They're both pretty standard 1/2-ton stuff. The ring gear is a little bigger, but the pinion is weaker. Axleshafts are basically the same. There is a seal somewhere that lets you swap the better 10-bolt yoke onto a 12-bolt axle to get rid of the tiny U-joint.
You can get 6-lug parts for a Dana 60, but I don't know if they all fit the same front or rear or what the overall width of the axle becomes.
https://solidaxle.com/collections/w...-of-forged-6-on-5-5-bolt-pattern-hubs-for-d60
https://www.skysoffroaddesign.com/products/dana-60c6r-001
https://www.skysoffroaddesign.com/products/dana-60fbb-006
If those fit your axle, that's a pretty easy conversion, but won't your Dana 60 need the spring pads and shock mounts moved to fit a Blazer?
The other option that has been well documented here over the years is putting a 6-lug 14-bolt semi-float axle in. This can end up pretty much bolt in. It has about the same ring gear and axle-shaft size as a D60, but it's a semi-float axle.
You can get 6-lug parts for a Dana 60, but I don't know if they all fit the same front or rear or what the overall width of the axle becomes.
https://solidaxle.com/collections/w...-of-forged-6-on-5-5-bolt-pattern-hubs-for-d60
https://www.skysoffroaddesign.com/products/dana-60c6r-001
https://www.skysoffroaddesign.com/products/dana-60fbb-006
If those fit your axle, that's a pretty easy conversion, but won't your Dana 60 need the spring pads and shock mounts moved to fit a Blazer?
The other option that has been well documented here over the years is putting a 6-lug 14-bolt semi-float axle in. This can end up pretty much bolt in. It has about the same ring gear and axle-shaft size as a D60, but it's a semi-float axle.
Well, any welding or fabrication is what I did for 35 years and just retired two months ago so that is definitely not a problem. I thank you for the advice. I’m hoping to make the Dana 60 work and I think I can with the 15 inch rims and tires. And as far as Axel width , I’m wanting to end up wider on the rear anyway, as I myself do not like the rear being narrower than the front.
Why not late model 9.5 swap for rear gets you 6 lug and disc brakes and bigger ring gear ALL in 1 and bonus of park brake option also . Lot less work and about bolt in compared to your rear 60 project and less money spent .
I went with the older 9.5 rear axle semi float. Kind of wish I would have used a newer rear axle with parking brake.
These Cadillac parking brake calipers are good but a little headache with parking brake.
The front 10 bolt and new ball joints works fine for me right now. 8 lug conversion. It’s on 35’s.
For just the pavement it has been working great for me.
These Cadillac parking brake calipers are good but a little headache with parking brake.
The front 10 bolt and new ball joints works fine for me right now. 8 lug conversion. It’s on 35’s.
For just the pavement it has been working great for me.
What is the axle out of? There are a lot of different rear D60 applications and a lot of variationson axles and brakes, none are valuable as an 8-lug.
I see no reason why it cannot be converted to 6-lug with disc brakes, the question is if someone already makes the parts so it's easy or if you need custom machining which gets expensive professionally.
Well after all the Dana Drama I talked to Steve @soild axle and going with the 14 Bolt ff hubs 6x5.5 lugs and picked up 14 bolt yesterday and went with drum as it utilizes the 3 bearings vs the newer Disc that has the 2 bigger bearings and 11.5 I wanna thank all you guys for for the help
Still crazy overkill . . All you need is a 9.5 with factory disc brake .
But to each there own . Good luck .
But to each there own . Good luck .
